Peru Explorer (2027 Itinerary)

Upon arrival in the Peruvian capital, you’ll be warmly greeted and chauffeured to your 5-star hotel, which we have carefully selected for its warm welcome and ideal location. The rest of this day is yours to relax or enjoy as you wish. 

One of South America's most captivating and surprising capitals, Lima rewards travelers with its layers of history, culture, and contemporary sophistication. Founded by Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro in 1535, the city served as the seat of Spain's South American empire for nearly three centuries, leaving behind a remarkable legacy of colonial architecture, grand churches, and charming plazas. Yet modern Lima is equally compelling. Indeed, it’s a dynamic, forward-looking city that has emerged as one of the great culinary destinations of the world, with a vibrant dining scene that draws on Indigenous, Spanish, Japanese, and Chinese influences to create a cuisine entirely its own.

After breakfast, join your engaging guide to discover, learn about, and even savor the best of Lima. You’ll begin in the heart of the city, where splendid Colonial landmarks bear witness to the city’s rich history as a Spanish capital in the New World. 

In Plaza Mayor, admire the Lima Metropolitan Cathedral, founded in 1535 but rebuilt in the 18th century after a series of earthquakes. Nearby, the Archbishop’s Palace is easily recognized by its magnificent carved wooden balconies, one of the city's most iconic architectural features. You’ll also tour the Church and Convent of Santo Domingo, a sprawling complex with lovely courtyards and Baroque paintings.  

Continue to Barranco, Lima’s colorful bohemian district and a longtime haven for artists, writers, and musicians. As you stroll along its charming streets lined with elegant Republican-era homes, your guide will provide insight into the neighborhood’s unique character and cultural traditions. Pause to admire the famed Bridge of Sighs and enjoy delightful views of this coastal community.

Take a break from sightseeing to visit several huariques. Tucked away in areas where few tourists go, these small, informal and family-run eateries are popular with city residents. Here you can sample authentic Peruvian specialties and discover culinary traditions that have been passed down through generations.

Your exploration concludes at the Pedro de Osma Museum, a cultural gem housed within a beautifully restored historic mansion. Renowned for its outstanding collection of Colonial-era art, silverwork, and decorative pieces, the museum offers deeper insight into Peru's artistic and cultural legacy; it’s a terrific introduction to the places and sites you’ll explore in the days to come. Back at your hotel, the balance of your afternoon and evening are free to dine and enjoy as you wish.  Meals B+L

After an early breakfast, you’ll be escorted to the airport for your included flight to Cuzco, the ancient capital of the once vast and mighty Inca Empire. On arrival in this high-mountain city, you’ll meet your Trip Leader, an Andean expert on ancient Inca history and contemporary Peruvian traditions.

Journey down into the Sacred Valley, stopping en route to visit the Casa Museo Textil Sulca, a family museum four generations in the making and one of the region's most compelling cultural experiences. With dozens of meticulously crafted textile replicas spanning pre-Columbian cultures from the Paracas and Nazca to the Wari and Inca, the museum traces the full arc of Andean textile artistry, each piece reflecting the spiritual beliefs and daily life of the peoples who created them. You'll also have a chance to observe expert artisans at work and learn how natural fibers and dyes are transformed into works of remarkable detail and meaning.

For lunch, enjoy a traditionally prepared pachamanca, cooked underground using hot stones, a culinary ritual that dates back to Inca times. Then continue to your enchanting resort hotel, nestled amidst the natural beauty of the Sacred Valley.  Meals B+L

Begin your exploration after breakfast with a visit to the colorful Urubamba Market, where farmers and artisans from the surrounding highland villages gather to sell their produce and crafts.

Continue to the Sol y Luna Foundation, an inspiring organization dedicated to supporting the communities of the Sacred Valley through education, cultural preservation, and social development. During your guided visit, you’ll learn about the Foundation’s mission and the positive impact of its programs while gaining insight into the daily lives of local families. You'll also have the opportunity to interact with some of the children supported by the Foundation, making for a meaningful and memorable cultural exchange.

Enjoy lunch at one of our favorite restaurants, where regional specialties are prepared with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. This afternoon, journey across the highlands to Moray, one of the most intriguing and enigmatic sites of the Inca Empire. Its series of concentric circular terraces create distinct microclimates, leading many to believe this was once an agricultural laboratory where the Incas studied how altitude and temperature affected their crops. Your exploration continues to Maras, where thousands of shimmering pools cascade down a terraced mountainside in one of the most striking landscapes here in the Sacred Valley. Fed by natural mineral springs, these small bodies of water are harvested for their precious salt by local families, an ancient tradition that predates the Inca Empire.  Meals B+L
 

Early this morning, head to Ollantaytambo, an Inca-built town nestled in a narrow valley framed by majestic Andean mountains. From the lower terraces, take in panoramic views of the imposing fortress, one of the few places where the Inca successfully resisted Spanish forces in 1537. In the shadow of these ancient walls, the town itself remains a living example of Inca urban design. Its cobblestone streets, stone canals, and centuries-old homes offer a vivid glimpse into daily life that has changed little in over 600 years.

Your two-day exploration of Machu Picchu begins here aboard the Vistadome Observatory Train, a scenic rail journey through the magnificent Urubamba River Valley. Along the way, admire breathtaking vistas of terraced hillsides, traditional farming communities, and the lush cloud forest that heralds your approach to the Lost City of the Incas.

Upon arrival in the charming town of Aguas Calientes, board a coach for the winding journey up the mountainside to Machu Picchu. Before entering the archaeological site, you’ll sit down to lunch at the landmark Belmond Sanctuary Lodge, ideally situated adjacent to the entrance to the citadel.

One of the world's most celebrated archaeological treasures, Machu Picchu is a place of extraordinary beauty and mystery. Explore the remarkable temples, terraces, and ceremonial spaces that reveal the ingenuity and vision of the ancient Inca civilization as your expert guide brings to life the history and significance of this UNESCO World Heritage Site c.

Then descend back to Aguas Calientes for an overnight stay at your enchanting deluxe hotel. You’ll have time to refresh before dining at the hotel.  Meals B+L+D
 

This morning, your transportation and entry ticket are included so you can ascend again with your guide to explore Machu Picchu. At this early hour, the day visitors from Cuzco and the Sacred Valley have yet to arrive. With fewer people and the softer light of morning just breaking over the mountain peaks, an early morning visit to Machu Picchu is one of the most memorable travel experiences you will ever have.

After your visit, return to Aguas Calientes and board the Vistadome Observatory Train for the scenic journey back to Ollantaytambo. Lunch today is included at Wayra Ranch, where a lively demonstration features Peruvian Paso horses. Dressed in the traditional garb of the Qorilazos (Peruvian cowboys), these skilled riders display extraordinary discipline, training, and passion, a true celebration of Peru’s equestrian heritage.

Following lunch, travel through the scenic Andean highlands back to Cusco. Along the way, stop in the traditional highland village of Chinchero, renowned for its rich textile heritage. Here, you'll enjoy a weaving demonstration and learn how local artisans preserve centuries-old techniques, using natural dyes and handwoven patterns that reflect the culture and traditions of the Andes.

Arriving Cuzco in the late afternoon, you’ll check in to your welcoming first-class boutique hotel, ideally situated in the heart of this ancient and vibrant city. Your specially oxygenated room is designed to ease the effects of the city’s high altitude. Dinner is included at the hotel's restaurant, the perfect ending to a memorable day of discovery in the Andean Highlands.  Meals B+L+D

Enjoy a leisurely morning at your hotel, with time to relax and recharge after your explorations in the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. Savor a relaxed breakfast, or take advantage of your hotel's central location to explore a bit on your own.

At midday, join your expert Trip Leader for lunch at one of their favorite local eateries before setting out to discover the history and living culture of Cuzco.

A scenic drive leads into the hills above the city to the magnificent ruins of Sacsayhuaman. Built in the 1400s by the Inca emperor Pachacuti, its massive limestone blocks were cut with such precision that they fit together without mortar like a jigsaw puzzle. An amazing feat of Incan masonry and engineering, some stones tower more than 10 feet tall and weigh several hundred tons. The complex's striking design of zigzagging walls is believed to represent the teeth of a puma, reflecting the Inca vision of Cusco as a sacred city shaped like this powerful animal.

Back in town, see the Church of San Blas in Cusco's renowned artisan quarter, where generations of craftspeople have preserved the city's rich artistic traditions. Next, the neighborhood of San Cristóbal offers wonderful panoramic views across the red-tiled rooftops of the Imperial City.

As evening approaches, embark on an immersive walking experience through the historic center, including Regocijo Square, Santo Domingo Church and Koricancha Temple, and the Plaza de Armas. Along the way, modern projection technology brings ancient walls and buildings to life with images and photographs, while your guide shares fascinating stories and local anecdotes that reveal the traditions and vibrant culture that continue to define Cusco today. Return to your hotel where the rest of the evening is free to dine as you wish. Meals B+L
 

This morning, you’ll venture across the Andean highlands to Oropesa, a handsome Colonial-era town rarely visited by other travelers. With its fine architecture and beautiful mountain setting, Oropesa is celebrated all across the country for its generations-old bread-making traditions. Locally known as pan chuta, these round loaves are made from traditionally grown local wheat with a hint of sweetness and other spice flavors like cinnamon and anise. Baked in traditional ovens, special woods and eucalyptus leaves are burned to impart more flavors and a delicate texture to the crust. Your arrival and tour of Oropesa will be accompanied by the aroma of these freshly baked breads. Before leaving, of course, your guide will introduce you to local bakers who will be thrilled to offer you a sample of their celebrated bread.
 
Your cultural foray into the Andes continues in the remote mountain village of Cuyuni where you’ll be able to mingle and stroll with the residents. With your expert guide there to offer cultural and historical context, and translating as needed, you’ll join villagers in their fields and homes. It’s a genuine and engaging cultural encounter that offers rich insight into their traditions and a way of life that has changed little over the centuries.
 
Back in Cuzco, you’ll dine this evening at one of our favorite restaurants in town.  Meals B+L+D
 

After breakfast, you’ll be escorted to the airport for your included flight to Lima. Upon arrival, you will be assisted with the connection to your onward flight.  Meals B